"John R. Levine" <johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us> (06/06/91)
A few months ago I called up New England Tel to get Ringmate, their
distinctive ringing service, on my second phone line. Although NET
for some reason cannot combine multiple residential lines on a single
bill, it has always been the case that unlisting the second and
subsequent phone numbers was free. My second number has always been
unlisted, so I had the two new Ringmate numbers unlisted as well,
since they were for data and fax modems.
A week or so later I got a handwritten postcard from NET saying they'd
been unable to contact me and I should call them. When I did, they
said that if I wanted any of the numbers unlisted, even the number I
already had, they would charge $1.81 per number, the usual unlisted
rate. When I pressed them and pointed out that the unlisted number
had always been free, they insisted that the tariff had changed. I
told them to list them all under the name of T. H. Sophia who lives
here but gets few phone calls because she's a dog.
The next call was to the state Department of Public Utilities to
complain, because this whole business sounded pretty bogus. They took
my complaint and said they'd look into it. Nothing happened for
several months. The DPU called back last week and said they agreed
that I was right and NET was wrong, there is no charge for unlisting
second and subsequent phone numbers and thank you for bringing it to
their attention.
Knowing NET, they won't tell anyone else. If you are a Massachusetts
phone customer and have been charged for an unlisted second line or
Ringmate number, you are presumably entitled to get your money back.
For further info you can call Jack Warshall at the DPU, 617-727-3531.
Regards,
John Levine, johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl
[Moderator's Note: I'm surprised you had this much trouble with NET.
Illinois Bell has always maintained that <one> non-pub listing was as
good as a dozen in their records. They either give your number to the
seeker, or advise it is non-pub. One transaction, one fee. Of course
if you want more than one free listing per line, you do pay for the
extra listings; i.e. two lines, two free listings. PAT]clements@bbn.com (06/11/91)
In telecom11.431.6 John Levine writes: > [...about having trouble getting a second line unlisted for free > from New England Telephone...] > Knowing NET, they won't tell anyone else. If you are a Massachusetts > phone customer and have been charged for an unlisted second line or > Ringmate number, you are presumably entitled to get your money back. I just went through the process of moving (for the first time in 20 years!) and I had no trouble at all with this. The customer service rep knew all about it. As long as one line is listed, any more in the same name and at the same location may be unlisted for free. The magic phrase is "Special Non-Listed". It's amazing how many problems can be resolved by knowing the right magic words. Sort of like an adventure game. Fortunately, in this case NET knew about it without my having the magic phrase, but it might help anyone else in the same situation. Bob Clements, K1BC, clements@bbn.com